Difference Between Cold and Acute Bronchitis.

Dear Ask The Doctor: Dear Sir, Productive cough is a symptom for both cold & acute bronchitis. So how can I differentiate between them? Thank you for your help, Sorry for bothering you. Kind regards

Dear Momen: Acute bronchitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bronchial airways.  The bronchial airways connect the trachea to the lungs.  Inflammation can be caused by infections (viruses or bacteria) or irritation of the airways (asthma, allergies, inhaled irritants).  Thus, the common cold would be a common cause of acute bronchitis. They are not separate conditions - rather one causes the other.

I hope that clears things up